Vaporizer



Dec. 25, 1951 K C. THOMPSQN 2,579,626

VAPORIZER Filed Sept. 174, 1949 V/ /l z5@ /g fifa (62" We lll Patented Dec. 25, V1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a vaporizer, and more particularly to a vaporizer attachment unit for use with a power unit providing a flow of air, such as a vacuum cleaner.

One feature of this invention is that it provides an improved vaporizer; another feature of the invention is that it provides a vaporizer in which air ls blown through a passage having the material to be vaporized therein, and means are provided for heating the air flowing through said passage; a further feature of the invention is that means are provided in the air passage for retarding the flow of air therethrough and for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized; still another feature of the invention is that the means for retarding the flow of air are of heat-conductive material having a portion in heat exchange relationship with the heating means for heating the material to be vaporized; yet a further feature of the invention is that means are provided for reducing the flow of air through the passage below the normal output of the power unit; an additional feature of the invention is that means are provided for connecting the heating means in series with the motor means of the power unit for reducing the speed of operation thereof; still an additional feature of the invention is that it includes means providing an air connection between the power unit and the air passage, this means having at best one bleeder opening therein for reducing the flow of air through the passage; and yet a further feature of the invention is that the means providing the air connection is movable for covering desired portions of the bleeder opening.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and from the drawings, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a perspective view vof the vaporizer including the attachment unit and the power unit;

Fig. 2 is a top lplan view of the attachment unit, said unit being disconnected from the power unit and having its cover and most of the insulation removed;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, withthe cover and part of the insulation replaced, and showing means for connecting the attachment unit to the power unit; and

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electric circuit of the apparatus.

While the vaporizer disclosed and claimed herein has other uses than that particularly described,

the vaporizer is particularly'advantageous for use as a vaporizer in controlling disease.

It has been found that triethylene glycol, when vaporized in the air, suppresses the virus which causes the common cold, thereby greatly reducing the incidence of transfer of colds among occupants of a room or other enclosure. However, because of the chemical structure of triethylene glycol it is not possible merely to boil it or to heat it at random in order to vaporize it into the air, and no satisfactory yet simple arrangement has been devised for vaporizing this material properly to saturate a room or other enclosure, particularly in homes and oflices.

While triethylene glycol boilsrat a temperature of the order of 550 degrees Fahrenheit, this material decomposes when it is heated to about 270 degrees Fahrenheit, and the decomposition produces noxious odors. Consequently, in a room or other enclosure it is undesirable to boil triethylene glycol to produce the vapor in the air, and in consequence of the high boiling point of the material it is not possible to evaporate a sufficient quantity to get good results merely by heating triethylene glycol to a temperature below its decomposition point, as 230 or 240 degrees, and then blowing cool (roomtemperature) air across it. I have'found, however, that if warm air (preferably in the range from about to about 240 Fahrenheit) is blown past the surface of triethylene glycol (particularly if the triethylene glycol is pre-heated to about the same temperature as the air), the triethylene glycol will vaporize in an appreciable amount sufficient to saturate an ordinary room within a very short time.

The present invention, in addition to providing an improved vaporizer attachment unit, is designed so that the attachment unit may be connected to the air outlet of a conventional vacuum cleaner so that the vacuum cleaner acts as the power unit for providing a flow of air. Means are provided connecting the power unit to an air passage in the attachment unit, and means are also provided for reducing the flow of air through the passagebelow the normal output of the power unit.

In order to accomplish this, I prefer to connect the heating element of the attachment unit in series with the motor of the vacuum cleaner to reduce the speed of the motor and thus reduce the air output of the vacuum cleaner below its normal level. Furthermore, means are provided inthe air passage for retarding flow of air therethrough and at least one bleeder opening is provided between the power unit and the air passage together' with means for covering portions of this opening as desired so that a proper quantity of air may now through the air passage of the attachment unit so that the air becomes heated to the proper temperature despite normal changes in the voltage of the power source.

Air is retarded in its now through the air passage by means of a fibrous mass of material substantially filling the air passage. In addition to retarding .theo'wiof .fair this nbrousmaterial acts as a wick and greatly increases the surface area of the material to be vaporized. By utilizing a brous mass of heat-conductive material, as metallic shavings or Wool, having a portion in heat exchange relationship with the heating means I am able to raise the temperature'of the nlm of triethylene glycol carried'by .therstrands or individual shavings of the mass, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of the evaporating proc,-

ess.

'1Referring1nowfto the drawings, .the .apparatus includes a vaporizeriattachment .unit designated generally .at :I which may be connected to a power unit designated generallyiat II by means of a connecting hose `designated generally at I2.

The power unit here illustrated comprises a conventionalvacuum cleanenalthough it will be understood that Iiintendithe term power unit to cover any motorlmeans for supplying a stream of air. .Whileany vacuumcleaner having an outlet through whichair is blown 'may be utilized, I prefer fto utilize a "Silver-King vacuum cleanerv'of the itypeisho-wn. The power unit is operated by an electric 'motor enclosed Vtherein and designated I3 .in Fig. 4, an on-'olf switch lIll being provided -forlcontrolling the operation of the motor, 'and a'line `cord.I5beingrprovided for connecting' the motor to a conventional source of power, a's for example, conventional commercial 1l`0 voltelectric power. The line .terminates in a conventional plug.

The attachment 'unit ismounted Vwithin a housing comprising arectangular-box 20'.having a lid 2l provided with a carrying lhandle 22` and'having a perforated opening 23 adjacent one end.

The cover 2'I may be securely mountedon 'the box 2`by means of screws, a's's'ho-Wn at 24. .Projecting-from the'bottom of the 'cover and surrounding the`opening`23 is a tublar'ange 24.

A tubular member designatedgenerally `at 2'5 is mounted within the housing. This member preferably comprisesa metal pipe having a horizontal inlet portion 2li including 'a 'portion 25a which projects out of 'one-end of 'the fhousing'20 through an opening 20a, in an 'end wall fof "the housing. The portion 26o 'has 'a plurality of bleeder openings-26h inits walloutside the housing. The'horizontal'inlt'portion 26 mergesiinto an intermediate portion -2'I'fprovidinga reservoir below the level lof the inletportionfor material to be vaporized, and the reservoir portion merges into an upwardly extending outlet'portion28 the upper'end of whichis covered with 'a screenv 2Q.

Within .the bore .of the'tubular member is a' mass .of .fibrous material 30. This mass preferably is composed of heat-conductive material, and may be formed of copper :or othermetallic shavings or'wool. .As may beseen 'in Fig. 3, the mass of copper 'shavings substantially Yfills the bore of the member 25, and this mass'serves three important functions. The masslacts vasa wick for increasing "the surface 'area of the 'material to be vapori'zed, fa 'quantityof thisma'terial being poured into the top of the outlet portion 28 when the cover 22| .is -removed solthat the material flows down through the mass of copper shavings into the reservoir portion 21. As the material ows into the reservoir a lm of the material to be Vaporized remains on the copper strands, thus presenting an extremely large surface area of material to be vaporized.

The second function of this mass of brous material is to retard the flow of air through the passage so that the air will have time to become heatedfto .the proper temperature and will pass slowly adjacent the material to be vaporized, thus giving a more complete vaporizing action. As a third function, utilizing a mass of heatconductive material with a portion in heat exchange relationship with the heating means in the passage results in preheating the nlm of material ,on .the strands of fibrous material independently of the heating action of the air which is flowing through the passage, thus providing for most elcient evaporation.

The .means for heating .air owing `through the passage 25 comprises an electric heating .element which in the particular embodiment shown is in the form of a U and extends within theinlet portion 2G of the passage. This'heating element may be a conventional electric element having a power rating preferably 'of the order of 330 watts, when connected directly across a 'conventional Velectric supply line, although it will be understood that its heating rating will be much less, as lfor example about half this wattage effectively, when the element is operating in series vwith the motor `of 'the power unit supplying air. A line cord 36 enters the housing 2li through an opening in one side, and one wire 36a of theline cord is connected to one -terminal of a conventional 'outlet socket 31 which is mounted in a wall 'of the housing 2Q; The other wire 36h of `the line cord is connected to one terminal of the V'heating'element 35, and the other terminal'of 'the heating element is connected by means of 'a lead 38 tothe other terminal of the socket 3l. The .housing 2l! may be packed with heat insulating :material 39. which may be.1'ibreglass or other like material.

As shown in Fig. 3 the connecting hose I2 terminates in a rubber inipple40`whic'his slidable-on the projecting tubular portion Zta of the pipe 25, which is provided with a stop shoulder ila so located that thenipple may be Aslid onto the tubular member 26a substantially to cover the openings 2S?) if desired.

In the operation of the -device a quantity of triethylene glycol, as `for 'example about two ounces, may be poured -into the `upper endof theportion 25 of the tubular member `25, Ithe trin ethylene glycol nowing down through the metal wool into the reservoir 21 and leaving la nlm of triethylene glycol on `the metal wool. The cover may then be placed upon the attachment unit and the unit may be connected to the power unit ll by means .of the flexible .hose :|2, thus providing an -air connection between the .power unit andthe passage 25. The .line .cord .i5 of the power unit is then plugged into the .socket 3l so that the motor I3.of thepower unit is connec'ted in series with the heating element 35. Since this heating element is essentially a resistor, the applied voltage is divided between the `element S5 and the motor I3, reducing'the speed of the motor" and cutting down the air output of the power vunit to a level below its normal value. When the cord 36 is connected to a source of voltage, the element 35`becomes heated, Vand since'a vportion -of the metal -wool 30is in contact with the'heating 'element ythe metal wool conducts heat tothel film or triethylene glycol and this illm is heated Vindependently of theair flowing through the passage. Air flows through-the hose l2 into the intake 26 of the passage 25 where it is heated by the element 35, the mass of shavings 38 retarding the flow of air through the passage so that proper heating action will occur.

While the series connection of kthe heating element and motor and the retarding action of the shavings are so designed that the air is heated to a temperature within a range from approximately 190 degrees Fahrenheit to approximately 240 degrees Fahrenheit, it sometimes is necessary to'compensate for substantial voltage variations which will vary the speed of operation of the motor I3. It is well known that during times of excessive load, as in the evening, the voltage of a commercial power supply dropsr several volts below its vrated level which prevails during normal usage; Because of the retarding effect of the fibrous mass 3Q a portion of the air will iiow out of the bleeder openings 25h. vBy sliding the nipple 4l) towardsor away from the housing 2d any desired portion of these bleeder openings may be covered to regulate the amount of air and speed of Vflow in the passage 25 so that the air and the triethylene glycol may be heated to a temperature high enough to produce eiiicient vaporization, but too lowk to'cause decomposition of the triethylene glycol. I have found that temperatures within the range of approximately 190 degrees to approximately 240 degrees provide the best results, although some variation from these limits are workable. A vaporizer of the form here illustrated has very satisfactorily vaporized between nine and ten grams of triethylene glycol into a room within a half hour.

starting cold and including the time (normally l about three minutes) required for the heating element to heat up to operating temperature, and with the air leaving the vaporizer at a maximum of 235 F. i

While I have described the invention as a vaporizer of triethylene glycol, it will be understood that the vaporizer may be used with other substances to kill or suppressb'acteria, virus, or other microscopic air borne bodies; and that the vaporizer may be used with other substances for other purposes.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modiiications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vaporizer of the character described, comprising: a power unit for providing a flow of air, said unit including motor means; vaporizing means including an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized, means for heating air owing through said passage and means in said passage for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporlzed, this last means being of heat-conductive material for heating the material to be vaporized; and readily removable means providing an air connection between said unit and said air passage.

2. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating means are in the air passage and wherein the means for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized comprising: a power unit for providing a flow of air,

said unit including motor means; vaporizing means including an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized, means for heating air flowing through said passage, and means in said passage for increasing the surface area of the' material to be vaporized; means providing an air connection between said unit and said air passage; and heat conducting means for reducing the ow of air through said passage below the normal output of said unit.

4. A vaporizer of the character described, comprising: a power unit for providing a flow of air, said unit including electric motor means; vaporizing means including en air passage and reservoir fo'rmaterial to be Vaporized, electrically operated means in said passage for heating air flowing therethrough, and a mass of fibrous heatconductive material-in and substantially filling said passage for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized and for retarding the/flow of air through said passage, said mass substantially filling said passage and having a portion in heat exchange relationship with the heating means; means providing an air connection between said unit and said air passage; and means for connecting the heating means in series in the circuit of the motor means for reducing the speed of operation thereof.

5. A vaporizer of the character described, comprising: a power unit for providing a ow of air, said unit including electric motor means; vaporizing means including an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized, electrically operated means in said passage for heating air flowing therethrough, and a mass of brcus heatconductive material in and substantially iilling said passage for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized and for retarding the flow of air through said passage, said mass substantially lling said passage and having a portion in heat exchange relationship with the heating means and wherein the density of said mass of materials is sufficient substantially to retard the now of air through said passage, and

wherein the means providing an air connection has a bleeder opening therein for reducing the 'flow of air through said passage below the output of said unit.

6. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 5 wherein the air flowing through said passage is heated to a temperature below 270 F.

7. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 5 wherein the air flowing through said passage is heated to a temperature within the range from of the order of to the order of 240 F.

8. A vaporizer attachment unit of the character described for use with a power unit providing a ow of air, comprising: means providing an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized; an electric heater in said passage; a mass of heat conducting fibrous material in said passage for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized and for retarding the ow of air through said passage; and readily removable means for connecting said passage to the air outlet of said unit.

9. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 8, wherein said mass is of heat-conductive material and substantially fills said passage, said mass antenas.

7 having aportion in` heat exchange relationhip Withsaid heater for heating the materialv to-be vaporized.

10. Apparatus of thel character claimed in claim 8, wherein the means providing an air passage and reservoir comprises a member having a passage with an inlet portion for housing the heater, an intermediate portion providing a res.- ervoir below the level of said inlet portion and an upwardly extending outlet portion, and wherein said mass extends from said reservoir into said outlet portion.

. 11. A vaporizer attachment unit of the char.- acter described for use with a power unit in a conventional vacuum cleanery providing a flow-of air, and having an electric motor, comprising: means providing an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized; an electric heater in said passage; a mass of heat conducting brous material in said passage for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized ands for retarding the flow of air through said passage; means for connecting said passage to thel air inlet of said unit; and leads connected to said heater to adapt said heater to be connected in series with said motor.

12. A vaporizer attachment unit of the character described for use with a conventional vacuum cleaner having an electric motor providing a flow of air, comprising: a housing; a tubular member in said housing providing an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized, said member having a horizontal inlet portion, an intermediate portion providing a reservoir below the level ofsaid inlet portion and an upwardly extending outlet portion; an electric heater in the inlet portion of said passage for heating air flowing therethrough; a mass of metal shavings substantially lling said passage for retarding the flow of air through said passage, said mass having a portion extending into the outlet portion of said passage forming means for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized, and said mass having a portion in contact with said heater for heating the material to be vaporized; an electric terminal socket on said housing;l and leads connecting said heater to saidsocket whereby the heater may be connected in series with said motor to reduce the speed ofr operation thereof.

1.3. A vaporizer. attachmentI unit ofl the character described for usefwith a conventionall vac.- uum cleaner having an electricv motor providing a iiow of air, comprising: a housing; a tubular member in said housing providing an air passage and reservoir for material to be vaporized, said member having a horizontal inlet portion projecting out of said housing and having at least one opening in its wall outside said housing, an intermediate portion providing a reservoir below the level of said inlet portion and an upwardly extending outlet porton; an electric heater in the inlet portion of said passage for heating air flowing therethrough; a mass of metal shavings substantially filling said passage for retarding the iiow of air through saidpassage, said mass having a portion extending into the outlet portion of, said passage,4 forming means for increasing the surface area of the material to be vaporized, and said mass having a portionv in contact with said heater for heating` the` material to be vaporized; an electric terminal socket on said housing; a readily removable hose providing an air connection between saidl vacuum cleaner and the inlet portion of said tubular member, the connecting end of said hose being movable on the extending portion of said tubular member for covering portions of said opening as desired; and leads connecting said heater to said socket whereby the heater may be connected inl series with said motor to reduce thespeed of operation thereof.

14. Apparatus ot thev character claimed in claim 13, wherein the air flowing through said passage is heated toa temperature within arange of. 190-240. degrees Fahrenheit.

KENNETH C. THOMPSON.

REFERENCESv CITED The following references areof record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numberl Name Date 524,156 Bachman Aug. 7, 1894 1,821,525v Nielsen V Sept. 1, 1931 1,855,898 Alexander Apr. 26, 1932 2,010,331 Starrick, Y Aug. 6, 1935 V2,311,899 Marlowe Feb. 23, 1943 

